Combative Trump Takes on Boeing, Apple at Close of South Carolina Race
Will Donald Trump Sweep Through South Carolina?
As Donald Trump barreled toward his next test of strength in the Republican nomination fight, the billionaire confronted two top U.S. companies, a popular pope and virtually anyone else in his way.
It was just another day on the campaign trail for the Republican front-runner.
The real estate mogul's most dramatic move Friday was to call for a boycott of Apple Inc., following the company's refusal to cooperate with a judge’s order to assist law enforcement in unlocking the iPhone of a California suspect in the San Bernardino shooting rampage that killed 14 people in December.
"Boycott Apple until they give up the information," he said at a rally in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. "The phone is owned by the government."
Trump singled out Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook, saying he's "looking to do a big number, probably to show how liberal he is." Trump later tweeted that he'd stop using his iPhone -- and only use a Samsung device -- until Apple cooperates with authorities.
His remarks came on the final full day of campaigning ahead of two key presidential contests that will shape the tone and duration of the Republican and Democratic races. The six remaining Republicans face off Saturday in South Carolina's primary, while Democrats Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders will compete three time zones to the west in the Nevada caucuses.
At an earlier stop, Trump suggested that one of the state's top employers could lose jobs if he isn't elected president because, he claimed, no one else will be as good a negotiator with the Chinese.